The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) has elected Steve Cernak, chief executive and director for Port Everglades, as new chairman of the board. He replaces Mark Andrews.
Cernak was appointed for the 2017-18 activity year that begins in October, the AAPA announced. H[ds_preview]e is slated to be installed as chairman for a one-year term and will assume the AAPA chairmanship from Mark McAndrews, Port of Pascagoula port director, who began his one-year term on Oct. 26, 2016.
»With his valuable experience as a port director involved with diversified cargo, petroleum and cruise operations, longstanding active engagement with AAPA member ports throughout the hemisphere, and a background in seaport engineering, Steve Cernak is a superb choice for leading our association during the upcoming activity year,« said Kurt Nagle, AAPA’s president and chief executive officer.
Although Mr. Cernak has led Port Everglades as port director since March 2012, his career in the seaport industry extends more than 30 years, involving both port authority and private-sector experience. Previously, he led the Port of Galveston as its port director and chief executive, was president of the Galveston Port Facilities Corporation, and served as manager of the Port Development Department for The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
»Seaports in the Western Hemisphere are facing global challenges that affect the way we trade and support the communities where we live and work,« said Mr. Cernak. »I’m looking forward to supporting AAPA’s commitment to advancing security, trade, transportation, infrastructure and environmental initiatives that create economic and social value for all of our member public ports and the communities they serve.«
Since 1999, Cernak has served on AAPA’s Cruise Committee, Curriculum Committee, Maritime Economic Development Committee, Harbors and Navigation Committee and as a member of the association‘s Board of Directors and chair of its U.S. Legislative Policy Council.
